1. General description of the security situation in Pakistan
1.3. Recent security trends and armed confrontations
According to sources systematically collecting information on terrorist and anti-state violence in Pakistan, the overall security situation improved in 2017 compared to previous years. The nature of the violence in 2017 and in the first half of 2018 is diverse and is described in detail in the following sections.
The 2017 report of the Pakistani Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS) (257) recorded 950 incidents of anti-state violence by militants and counter-insurgency operations by the Pakistani government, in which 1 395 people were killed including 561 militants,585 civilians, 249 security forces personnel. While 1 965 were injured including 1 580 civilians, 54 militants and 331 security forces personnel (258). Compared to 2016, this represents a 41 % decrease in the number of incidents. PICSS mentions a decrease of 25 % in the number of deaths but a 2 % increase in the number of those injured (259).
(248) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 90 (249) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 89
(250) RFE/RL, Pakistan’s Balochistan Conflict Reverberates In Europe, 7 December 2017, url (251) Diplomat (The), Understanding Pakistan’s Baloch Insurgency, 24 June 2015, url (252) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 89
(253) RFE/RL, Pakistan’s Balochistan Conflict Reverberates In Europe, 7 December 2017, url (254) Dawn, Situationer: Who’s who of Baloch insurgency, 1 June 2015, url
(255) Balochistan Post (The), Baloch pro-freedom groups to work unitedly, 25 February 2018, url
(256) United Baloch Army [Twitter], posted on: 11 February 2018, url; United Baloch Army [Twitter], posted on: 5 March 2018, url; United Baloch Army [Twitter], posted on: 8 April 2018, url
(257) For a description of this source, see section 1.4.1. Figures on civilian fatalities (258) PICSS, Annual Security Assessment Report 2017, 6 January 2018, url, p. 11 (259) PICSS, Annual Security Assessment Report 2017, 6 January 2018, url, p. 11
The annual security situation report of Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) (260) documented 713 incidents of violence, resulting in 1 611 deaths and 2 212 injured in 2017 (261). More than half of the number of violent incidents (370) were labelled as ‘terrorist attacks’ (262), according to PIPS (263). Compared to 2016, the number of violent incidents decreased by approximately 5 % (264). Similar to PICSS, PIPS observed in 2017 that the number of deaths decreased and the number of injured slightly increased compared to 2016 (265).
Figure 1 presents a breakdown of the nature of violent incidents and the number of casualties recorded by PIPS in 2017:
Nature of violence incidents 2017
No of incidents No of deaths No of injured
‘Terrorist attacks’ 370 815 1 736
Political / ethnic violence 4 10 4
Clashes & encounters security forces & militants
68 251 31
Inter-tribal clashes/attacks 6 9 24
Border clashes/attacks 171 188 348
Operational attacks sec. forces 75 296 47
Drone attacks 9 30 4
Sectarian clashes 1 3 9
Inter-militant clashes/attacks 2 2 0
Clashes sec. forces & criminal gangs 1 3 0
Communal/ fait-based violence 1 2 0
Mob violence 5 2 9
Total 2017 713 1 611 2 121
Total 2016 749 1 887 1 956
Figure 1: Overall incidents of violence 2017, (PIPS) (266)
1.3.1. Security operations and armed clashes
PIPS stated that in 2017, security operations and armed clashes were reported in all four provinces of Pakistan and in the FATA. The security forces carried out 75 operations and raids against militants in 2017, compared to 95 attacks in 2016 (267). Most of these operational strikes were carried out in Balochistan (39), followed by FATA (18), Sindh (3), Punjab (7) and in the KP (8). According to PIPS, 296 people were killed, including 281 militants (compared to
(260v For a description of this source, see section 1.4.1. Figures on civilian fatalities (261) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 20
(262) Sectarian and political (etc.) ‘terrorist attacks’ are counted as ‘terrorist attacks’ and not included in the other categories; PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 20
(263) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 20 (264) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 20 (265) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 20 (266) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 20 (267) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 97
492 in 2016), 14 security forces personnel and one civilian (268). Besides these operational attacks, security forces engaged in 68 armed clashes with militants in 2017. This is a decrease of 35 % compared to 2016 (269). These clashes claimed 251 lives in 2017, of which 243 militants and eight security forces personnel. In total 31 people sustained injuries: 24 security forces personnel, three civilians and four militants (270).
For further information on the varying numbers of civilian casualties and the various methodologies used by these research institutions, see Section 1.4.1. Figures on civilian fatalities.
Operation Zarb-e-Azb
Operation Zarb-e-Azb was launched on 15 June 2014 by the Pakistani armed forces in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and in the FATA. The purpose of the operation was to target the militants in North Waziristan (271). Operation Zarb-e-Azb reduced the level of violence.
Most areas were cleared of militants, except a few pockets and sleeper cells. Therefore, the Pakistani state has to some extent regained public trust but the operation was conducted ‘in a violent manner’ (272). Critics of the operation claim it did not destroy the TTP, who were able to relocate to Afghanistan to carry out attacks from there. Also, intolerance and extremism allegedly increased. Another critique holds that the operation did not gain as much regional and international recognition as expected, owing to poor strategic communication and ‘dull diplomacy’ (273). The operation also caused internal displacement (274).
Operation Radd-Ul-Fasaad
Operation Radd-Ul-Fasaad was launched on 22 February 2017, after a series of attacks conducted by JuA in the country in the beginning of 2017. This operation is not confined to one area, but is carried out across the whole of Pakistan (275). The operation is aimed at eliminating the threat of terrorism and at consolidating the gains of Operation Zarb-e-Azb. It is further aimed at ensuring the security of Pakistan's borders. The operation includes the involvement of Pakistan’s air force, Pakistan’s navy, Pakistan’s police and other civil armed forces (276). The Rangers were given ‘special powers’ to operate in Lahore and different parts in the province of Punjab (277). The strategy of the operation is to use Intelligence-Based Operations (IBOs). Operation Radd-Ul-Fasaad reduced the level of ‘terrorist attacks’ in Pakistan but has failed to prevent attacks on security forces and civilians (278). This military operation has led to criticism that some groups such as Pashtuns and Afghan refugees in the country have been indiscriminately targeted (279).
(268) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 97 (269) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, pp. 99-100 (270) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 100
(271) Zulfqar, S., An Overview of Pakistan’s Security Situation after Operation Zarb-e-Azb, October 2017, in:
Islamabad Policy Research Institute, url, pp. 117-118
(272) Diplomat (The), Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Operation: Myth vs. Reality, 27 June 2016, url (273) Diplomat (The), Pakistan’s Counterterrorism Operation: Myth vs. Reality, 27 June 2016, url (274) Dawn, Nearly 40pc IDPs have returned to North Waziristan, army chief told, 19 December 2015, url
(275) Express Tribune (The)/International New York Times (The), Army launches Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad against terrorists across the country, 22 February 2017, url
(276) Dawn, Pakistan Army launches 'Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad' across the country, 22 February 2017, url (277) AI, Pakistan: Wave of violence shows a horrific disregard for human life, 23 February 2017, url (278) Critical Threats, Pakistan’s Counter-Militant Offensive: Operation Raddul Fasaad, 25 August 2017, url (279) Express Tribune (The)/International New York Times (The), Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad: ‘Punjab police focus on Pakhtuns and Afghans’, 4 March 2017, url
Operation Khyber-IV
On 16 July 2017, the Pakistani army launched Operation Khyber-IV to clear Rajgal Valley in Khyber Agency of militants (280). The main goals of Operation Khyber-IV were to eradicate the threat of IS in Khyber Agency, although security forces also targeted other militant groups and focused on the border security at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border (281). The Pakistani army announced the completion of Operation Khyber-IV on 21 August 2017 (282).
1.3.2. Attacks by militant groups
PIPS defined ‘terrorist attacks’ as follows: ‘terrorist attacks include militant, nationalist, insurgent and sectarian attacks’. These attacks can be carried out through different methods (suicide attacks, beheadings and destruction of educational institutions, CD/video shops, etc.) (283). Militant groups continued to conduct attacks in 2017. Tactics used are targeted killings, different types of IEDs, suicide attacks, kidnappings, grenade blasts, rocket attacks, and sabotage and mortar attacks (284).
Below is a description of the number of these attacks and the most common methods used by militants.
Numbers
According to the PIPS 2017 annual report, 370 ‘terrorist attacks’ were carried out by militant, nationalist, insurgent and violent sectarian groups in Pakistan in 2017. This is a decrease of 16 % compared to 2016. PIPS mentioned that in 2017 those attacks killed 815 people and injured 1 736. The number of people killed decreased by 10 % but the number of injured increased by 7 % compared to 2016 (285). Those killed in these attacks in Pakistan in 2017 included 536 civilians, 217 security forces personnel and 35 militants, whilst those injured included 1 430 civilians, 305 security forces and one militant (286).
According to numbers provided by PIPS, in the first six months of 2018, 145 ‘terrorist attacks’
were documented. These attacks killed 207 people (287).
Suicide attacks
The PICSS 2017 annual year report stated that militants carried out 23 suicide attacks in which 299 people were killed and 799 were injured (288). Of all insurgent tactics, suicide attacks
(280) Dawn, Army launches Operation Khyber-4 in Rajgal Valley, 16 July 2017, url (281) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, pp. 98-99
(282) Express Tribune (The)/International New York Times (The), Rajgal cleansed of terrorists as military concludes Operation Khyber-IV, 21 August 2017, url
(283) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 9 (284) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 253 (285) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 17 (286) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 17
(287) Rana Amir, M., e-mail, 2 July 2018 - data (01/01/2018-30/06/2018) courtesy of PIPS (288) PICSS, Annual Security Assessment Report 2017, 6 January 2018, url, p. 17
caused the highest number of deaths (289). Geographically, Balochistan witnessed the most suicide attacks compared to other provinces, according to PICSS (290).
Bomb explosions and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)
PIPS mentioned that militants used various types of IEDs in 159 attacks (291). PICSS reported that 254 people were killed and 714 were injured in 138 IED attacks in 2017. The number of IED attacks decreased by 24 % in 2017. In 2017, the number of deaths increased by 63 % and the number of injured increased by 55 % compared to 2016. According to PICSS, the higher number of casualties in 2017 caused by IED explosions is because of the ‘improving quality of the IEDs’ (292).
The highest number of IED explosions was recorded in the province of Balochistan followed by the FATA (293).
Targeted killings
According to PIPS, about 39 % of the ‘terrorist attacks’ (141) in 2017 were targeted killings or shootings (294). PICSS reported that most of the targeted killings took place in Balochistan province, followed by the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh (295). During the last few years, targeted killing has become a major tactic for all militant actors, whether sectarian or Islamic militants or nationalist insurgents (296). Also, the militants in Balochistan appear to have adopted targeted killings as their foremost strategy, according to PIPS and PICSS (297).
Of the total reported attacks, 160 attacks were against personnel, convoys and check posts of the security forces and law enforcement agencies across Pakistan. Civilians were the apparent targets of 86 attacks (23 %). Sixteen attacks targeted government officials, departments and offices and another 13 attacks hit political leaders/workers and offices ofpolitical parties. Pro-government tribal elders, or members of tribal peace committees, came under 12 attacks.
Non-Baloch workers, settlers in Balochistan were targeted in 10 attacks. Nine attacks targeted media and journalists. Meanwhile 16 reported attacks targeted members of Shia community and 4 attacks, also including one non-sectarian, hit members of the Sunni community. Two lethal attacks also targeted worship places and shrines in 2017 (298).
Kidnappings
PICSS reported a slight increase in kidnappings in 2017 compared to 2016. Most kidnappings executed by militants in 2017 took place in Balochistan followed by KP (299). GEO News
(289) PICSS, Annual Security Assessment Report 2017, 6 January 2018, url, p. 17 (290) PICSS, Annual Security Assessment Report 2017, 6 January 2018, url, p. 17 (291) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 18
(292) PICSS, Annual Security Assessment Report 2017, 6 January 2018, url, p. 18 (293) PICSS, Annual Security Assessment Report 2017, 6 January 2018, url, pp. 18-19 (294) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 18
(295) PICSS, Annual Security Assessment Report 2017, 6 January 2018, url, p. 20
(296) Rana Amir, M., EASO COI Meeting Report: Pakistan; 16-17 October 2017, Rome, February 2018, url, p. 60 (297) PICSS, Annual Security Assessment Report 2017, 6 January 2018, url, p. 20; PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 30Rana Amir, M., EASO COI Meeting Report: Pakistan; 16-17 October 2017, Rome, February 2018, url, p. 60
(298) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, pp. 17-18
(299) PICSS, Annual Security Assessment Report 2017, 6 January 2018, url, pp. 21-22.
reported in April 2018 that most kidnappings in Pakistan are organised by criminal networks in Afghanistan (300).
1.3.3. Sectarian-related violence
The number of sectarian-related violent incidents declined in 2017 compared to 2016 according to PIPS. The numbers decreased by 41 % in 2017 compared to 2016. The number of people killed also decreased by about 29 % in 2017. Most victims of sectarian-related violence were documented in Kurram Agency in the FATA, Quetta in Balochistan and Dera Ismael Khan in KP (301). According to PIPS, main perpetrators were Sunni militant groups such as LeJ, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al-Alami, SeM and JuA. Most of the violence was directed against Shias (302).
In contrast, CRSS documented an increase in victims of sectarian-related violence. According to the same source, 955 sectarian-related casualties were counted in 2017 with 319 killed and 636 wounded (303).
1.3.4. Ethnic and political violence
According to PIPS there was a decline in ethnic and political violence in 2017 compared to 2016, during which there were four incidents compared to twelve in 2016. These incidents took place in Sindh (particularly in Karachi), in Punjab and in Islamabad (304).
1.3.5. Border attacks
In 2017, PIPS counted in total 171 cross-border attacks at the borders with Afghanistan, India and Iran by foreign forces, Pakistani forces and militants. This is an increase of 131 % in comparison to 2016. Most of these attacks (131) took place at the border with India, followed by 28 at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and twelve at the Pakistan-Iran border. The main targets were security forces and their check posts and militants (305). In the first half of 2018, PIPS mentioned in total 90 cross-border attacks at the borders with Afghanistan, India and Iran (306).
According to PIPS, 28 cross-border attacks at the border with Afghanistan killed 117 and injured 102 people in the border area, mostly militants in 2017 (307). At the end of 2017, the Pakistani army started fencing the border and build border fortifications. These attempts to improve security at the border triggered numerous border clashes (308). In the first half of 2018, clashes at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border continued. PIPS reported ten attacks in the first half of 2018. These attacks killed 32 people (309). Frequent cross-border attacks were documented by the media. In June 2018, it was reported that six militants were killed at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border (310).
(300) GEO News, Kidnappings in Pakistan being controlled from Afghanistan, 24 April 2018, url (301) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, pp. 60-61
(302) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, pp. 60-61 (303) CRSS, Annual Security Report 2017, February 2018, url, p. 59 (304) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 24 (305) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 71
(306) Rana Amir, M., e-mail, 2 July 2018 - data (01/01/2018-30/06/2018) courtesy of PIPS (307) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 71
(308) RFE/RL, Afghanistan Returns Captured, Dead Pakistani Soldiers After Cross-Border Clash, 16 April 2018, url (309) Rana Amir, M., e-mail, 2 July 2018 - data (01/01/2018-30/06/2018) courtesy of PIPS
(310) Dawn, Security forces kill 6 'terrorists', repulse multiple attacks from across Afghan border, 3 June 2018, url
The situation at the Line of Control (LoC) and the de facto border between the Indian and Pakistani controlled parts of Kashmir stayed more volatile in terms of the number of cross-border violations documented in 2017 according to PIPS. At the Pakistan-India cross-border 131 cross-border attacks occurred, claiming the lives of 69 and injuring 245 people (311). In the beginning of 2018 tension rose at the LoC (312). At the end of May 2018, Pakistan and India reached an agreement about a cease-fire (313). Cross-border attacks nevertheless still occurred in June 2018 (314). In total in the first six months of 2018, 76 cross-border attacks caused the death of 52 people (315).
In 2017, Iranian border security forces carried out twelve cross-border attacks inChagai, Kech and Panjgur districts of Balochistan, resulting in two deaths and one injured (316). In total in the first six months of 2018 four cross-border attacks caused the death of two people (317). In June 2018, three Iranian security personnel and three militants were killed in a cross-border attack at the border with Pakistan (318).
1.3.6. Drone strikes
The first US drone strike in Pakistan took place in 2004 in the Waziristan region. The number of drone strikes between 2004 and 2014, and of those killed or injured by them, varies according to the source consulted (319). Most of the US drone strikes in Pakistan have taken place in the FATA, where the US military believed al-Qaeda, Taliban and other militant groups sought refuge (320). Under the Trump administration, areal drone strikes in Pakistan increased in comparison to the Obama administration (321).
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) compiled its own data on aerial drone strikes. In 2017, TBIJ recorded five strikes. These US drone strikes killed between fifteen and twenty-one people and injured between one and five. Whether the casualties belonged to armed groups or civilians is not specified in the reporting (322).
As of 17 June 2018, South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP) counted three US drone strikes in the first half of 2018 (323). On 17 January 2018, one person was injured in a drone strike allegedly carried out by a US plane in Badshah Kot area in Kurram Agency (324). The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed at the end of January 2018 an aerial drone strike was carried out by
(311) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 71
(312) Al Jazeera, Tensions soar along India, Pakistan border in Kashmir, 19 January 2018, url (313) Dawn, Pakistan, India agree to restore LoC ceasefire, 30 May 2018, url
(314) Dawn, AJK man injured in cross-LoC firing despite Pak-India commitment on truce agreement, 1 June 2018, url; Dawn, Woman, child killed in Indian shelling, 4 June 2018, url
(315) Rana Amir, M., e-mail, 2 July 2018 - data (01/01/2018-30/06/2018) courtesy of PIPS (316) PIPS, Security Report 2017, 7 January 2018, url, p. 78
(317) Rana Amir, M., e-mail, 2 July 2018 - data (01/01/2018-30/06/2018) courtesy of PIPS
(318) Reuters, Iranian Forces and Militants Killed in Clash Near Pakistan: Revolutionary Guards, 28 June 2018, url (319) Watson Institute for International Studies, Costs of War: War-related Death, Injury, and Displacement in Afghanistan and Pakistan 2001-2014, 22 May 2015, url, p. 11
(320) TBIJ, CIA drone strikes in Pakistan, 2004 to present, n.d, url; Express Tribune (The)/International New York Times (The), Explore the data: Drone strikes in Pakistan, 9 February 2018, url
(321) Express Tribune (The)/International New York Times (The), Explore the data: Drone strikes in Pakistan, 9 February 2018, url
(322) TBIJ, CIA drone strikes in Pakistan, 2004 to present, n.d, url
(323) SATP, Drone attack in Pakistan: 2005-2018, last updated on: 17 June 2018, url
(324) Dawn, Drone strikes on both sides of Pak-Afghan border kill 2, injure 1 suspected militant, 17 January 2018, url
the US on an Afghan refugee camp in Kurram Agency (325). On 9 February 2018, it was reported that three ‘suspected militants’ were killed in a US drone strike at a compound close to the Afghan border in North Waziristan Agency (326). The Pakistani Taliban confirmed that the group's deputy chief, Khalid Mehsud, was killed in the drone attack of 9 February 2018 (327). On 4 July 2018, a US drone strike killed a commander of the Pakistan Taliban near North Waziristan (328).
In September 2015, for the first time, the Pakistani army launched a Pakistani-made drone, a
‘Burraq Drone’, to strike at terrorists in Shawal Valley in the FATA (329).
1.3.7. Violence in the run-up to the general elections
Pakistan held general elections on 25 July 2018. In the run-up to these elections many violent incidents and some major attacks occurred (330). The Pakistan Taliban and ISKP carried out attacks against political candidates and targeted political gatherings (331). On 27 July 2018, PIPS published a report about the election violence. According to this report from 1 May 2018 to 25 July 2018, eighteen election-related attacks have taken place. These attacks killed 183 and injured 323 (332). In the same timeframe, 13 incidents of political violence took place and claimed the lives of three people and injured 32 (333). Some incidents targeting political candidates and gatherings are listed below. These include also major attacks related to the elections with civilian casualties.
On 3 July 2018, a bomb blast took place in North Waziristan at the office of Malik Aurangjeb Khan, a candidate for the PTI. Ten people were injured (334).
Seven people including a candidate of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) were injured when a remotely controlled IED planted in a motorcycle went off near a convoy (335).
Twenty people were killed and 63 injured when a suicide bomber targeted an election rally of Awami National Party (ANP) candidate Haroon Bilour in Peshawar on 10 July 2018. The attack was claimed by the TTP (336).
In a suicide attack on a convoy of former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani in Bannu on 12 July 2018 at least four people were killed and 32 injured (337).
(325) Government of Pakistan-Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan condemns drone strike by RSM forces in Kurram Agency, 24 January 2018, url
(326) Dawn, US drone kills three ‘militants’ in N Waziristan, 9 February 2018, url
(327) RFE/RL, Pakistani Taliban Confirms Deputy Chief Killed In Drone Strike, 12 February 2018, url
(328) Dawn, Taliban commander killed in suspected US drone strike near Pak-Afghan border, 5 July 2018, url (329) Express Tribune (The)/International New York Times (The), Why Pakistan's first drone strike should worry Obama, 1 October 2015, url
(330) USIP, After a Volatile Election Season, What Now for Pakistan?, 26 July 2018, url
(331) Diplomat (The), Pakistan's Election: Unique for All the Wrong Reasons, 25 July 2018, url; HRW, Pakistan:
Militant Attacks Escalate As Election Nears, 17 July 2018, url
(332) PIPS, General election 2018: Trends of terrorist and political violence, 27 July 2018, url, p. 1 (333) PIPS, General election 2018: Trends of terrorist and political violence, 27 July 2018, url, p. 2 (334) Dawn, 10 injured in blast at PTI candidate's election office in North Waziristan, 3 July 2018, url (335) Dawn, 7 including MMA candidate injured in Bannu blast, 7 July 2018, url
(336) Dawn, TTP claims responsibility for Peshawar blast; ANP's Haroon Bilour laid to rest, 10 July 2018, url (337) Dawn, Blast targets convoy of JUI-F leader Akram Khan Durrani in Bannu, 4 killed, 13 July 2018, url
A suicide bomber killed at least 149 people and injured at least 189 more in an attack on 12 July 2018 in Mastung in the province of Balochistan targeting an election rally of Nawabzada Siraj Raisani, claimed by ISKP and a faction of the Pakistan Taliban (338).
On 22 July 2018, PTI candidate Ikramullah Gandapur and his driver were killed after a suicide bomber blew himself up near the car of Gandapur in the outskirts of Dera Ismail Khan. The attack was claimed by the TTP (339).
On the election day, in an attack claimed by ISKP, a suicide attacker targeted a police vehicle near a polling station in Quetta, killing 31 people and injured at least 40 people (340).
In all four provinces skirmishes, clashes and deadly violence were documented between candidates of different political parties (341).